Reconstruction of Australopithecus africanus

Au. africanus was anatomically similar to Au. afarensis, with a combination of human-like and ape-like features. Compared to Au. afarensis, Au. africanus had a rounder cranium housing a larger brain and smaller teeth, but it also had some ape-like features including relatively long arms and a strongly sloping face that juts out from underneath the braincase with a pronounced jaw. Like Au. afarensis, the pelvis, femur (upper leg), and foot bones of Au. africanus indicate that it walked bipedally, but its shoulder and hand bones indicate they were also adapted for climbing.
Where Lived: Southern Africa (South Africa)
When Lived: About 3.3 to 2.1 million years ago
Year of Discovery: 1924
History of Discovery:
The Taung child, found in 1924, was the first to establish that early fossil humans occurred in Africa. After Prof. Raymond Dart described it and named the species Australopithecus africanus (meaning southern ape of Africa), it took more than 20 years for the scientific community to widely accept Australopithecus as a member of the human family tree.

Height:
Males: average 4 ft 6 in (138 cm); Females: average 3 ft 9 in (115 cm)
Weight:
Males: average 90 lbs (41 kg); Females: average 66 lb (30 kg)